The world: Open for business via The University of Manchester

03 Apr 2007

Businesses researching or expanding into overseas markets can now reap the benefits of practical, specialist assistance from international students at The University of Manchester.

Officially launching today, International Talent is a professional brokerage service that helps businesses to hire international students for short-term project work, in order to support their business development.

Paul Banks, Managing Director of Image Alchemy Ltd, who employed several University of Manchester students to explore overseas markets in Europe and South East Asia, said: "The quality of the candidates applying for positions has been outstanding. The International Talent service is way ahead of anything else within the commercial sector and it has helped my business enormously."

Managed by the University's Manchester Leadership Programme, Careers & Employability Division, the service simultaneously helps international students to gain valuable work experience and boost their career development.

Amanda Wood, Head of International Career Development at The University of Manchester, said: "International students at The University of Manchester have much to offer the business community. Over 7,000 international students from over 160 countries - including China, India, USA, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and across Europe - currently study a range of specialisms here, from Business and Finance to Science, IT and Engineering. Several come to study mid-career and have previous business experience.

"International Talent enables businesses to tap into and benefit from these students' specialist language skills, cultural knowledge and work experience."

The International Talent team provides businesses with a simplified route to accessing this pool of talent, including discussion of individual business requirements; assistance with shaping work experience briefs and job descriptions; advice on student availability, appropriate salaries and other options; targeted vacancy advertising, and other practical recruitment assistance. All services are free of charge.

Examples of projects that overseas students have assisted organisations with include: market research, assessing new overseas markets for products and services; document translation; regulation investigations for export; customer satisfaction surveys with overseas clients; developing international contacts, and event management for overseas clients and visitors.

Notes to Editors1. Amanda Wood, Head of International Career Development at the Manchester Leadership Programme, Careers & Employability Division, The University of Manchester, is available for interview on request.

2. Just over half of The University of Manchester's current international student population studies at postgraduate level. They come from over 162 countries across the world, and study a wide range of subjects, ranging from Business and Finance to Science, Engineering and IT.

3. The Manchester Leadership Programme, Careers & Employability Division at The University of Manchester is committed to improving the employability of its students and graduates. It works with graduate recruiters across the globe to develop and manage a variety of projects and events, all dedicated to equipping students with key career management skills and knowledge vital for future success. For further information on the Division's services for businesses, visit: www.manchester.ac.uk/careers/recruit